MEDIA REACTION Q NEW PM DESIGNATE ABE - TOKYO

UNCLAS TOKYO 005471 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR I/RF, PA/PR/FPC/W, IIP/G/EA, EAP/PD, R/MR, EAP/J, EAP/P, PM; USTR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; TREASURY FOR OASIA/IMI; SECDEF FOR OASD/PA; CP BUTLER OKINAWA FOR AREA FIELD OFFICE; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO JA SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION Q NEW PM DESIGNATE ABE - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: Most Friday morning papers front-paged the finding by the Board of Audit that a Tokyo-based consulting firm embezzled 100 million yen worth of ODA funds through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) from 2000 to 2004. ¶1. "Can Abe Use Overwhelming Victory in LDP Presidential Election to Manage the Government?" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (9/21): "Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe was elected president of the ruling Liberal SIPDIS Democratic Party (LDP) Wednesday by an overwhelming majority. Abe will be elected prime minister at an extraordinary Diet session to be convened Tuesday. He will become the first prime minister born after the end of World War II.... The biggest factor behind Abe's victory was his public popularity, as shown by opinion polls.... ¶2. "Abe has served in only a handful of key posts, including party secretary general and chief cabinet secretary. One cause for concern is the fact that he has SIPDIS never directly managed the nation's economic policies. In this regard, Abe will have to appoint talented people to assist him in economic policy.... Abe needs a strong team to deal with both the issues left over from the Koizumi administration and those that will emerge in the future." ¶3. "The Launch of an Uncertain Government" An editorial in the liberal Asahi commented (9/21): "...Tony Blair became the British prime minister at the age of 43, while Bill Clinton moved into the White House at 46. In this respect, Abe, who turned 52 Thursday, is not a particularly young leader.... In terms of his political agenda, Abe has proposed breaking from the 'postwar' system and revising the Constitution, an idea that was held by his late grandfather, former PM Kishi. ¶4. "Although he was born after the war, Abe employs rhetoric suggesting that he rejects the course that postwar Japan has taken.... While his popularity with the public is his biggest weapon, it is also a source of concern. Abe's popularity began with his strong remarks to North Korea and China over the Yasukuni and abduction issues and then rode a wave of growing nationalism.... It is true, however, that some people grow in office. We hope that Abe will appoint talented people to his administration and change our concern into hope." ¶5. "Abe Must Fulfill His Pledges" An editorial in the business-oriented Nihon Keizai noted (9/21): "...Diplomatically, it is imperative that Abe improve Japan's relations with China and South Korea. Abe has expressed his enthusiasm for an early summit with the Chinese leader, suggesting that moves are already afoot behind the scenes to make this happen. ¶6. "The change of premiership represents a golden opportunity for Japan to rebuild its stagnant Asia diplomacy. Former PM Nakasone visited Seoul immediately after taking power in order to improve Japan's relations with South Korea. It is important for Abe to move quickly to realize his pledge to strengthen Japan's ties with neighboring countries." SCHIEFFER